The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-19
WEST VIRGINIA OUTLAWS
Swift Punishment Melted Out to Two of
the Murderers of Rev. ThOs. Ryan.
Hanged. and Robert Duff's Throat Cut
and His Body Left Lying in the Road.

CHARLESTON w. Va, Oct 1S--Since the
murder of Rev. Thomas Ryan. near Spencer.
Roane county, this State. it has been learned
that organized band of regulators of over
1000 citizens, farmers. and others OF jackson,
Roane, Kanawha, iClay and Gilmer counties, has
existed for over six months. The organization
was formed for the purpose of selfprotection
against the organized bands of robbers and MUIR
dursrs who have run riot in certain loca lities
of jackson. Roane and Kanawha counties, in
which stores have been robbed, and inofensive
people made to suffer. 1t was about IL o'clock
Thursday night last when the door
of Rev. Ryan's mountain home was
crushed in. after a shot had been
fired through the front door. Ryan imme-
diately sprang from his bed, grabbed his shot
gun. cooked both barrels, and exclaimed,
What is wanted? The reply was from the
inner door: "Old man, we want your money,
and mean to have it," second shot fred
and Ryan exclaimed. ''Mother. speaking to
his wife-"I am killed. am shot through the
bowels" Thereupon barrel of his shotgun
was discharged, taking effect in the side of the
room, supposed to have been caused by his fall
This caused halt, and the wife and a
took Ryan to an upstairs room, after which the
murderers tive in number) ransacked tine lower
part of the house, getting nothing, and over
looking money near at hand.
Strong circumstantial evidence pointed to
Charless Coon, George Duff, jr., Robert NJ. Duff
aud Perry Drake, for whom warrants
issued Drake was quietly arrested at his home.
Constable Gibson and posse of about sixty
went to the residence of George Duff. ST., in
Kaintuck. Jackson county, where George Duff,
ST., and Coon were CHARTERED. They were pre-
pared for assault. Coon saw the posse NOV
ing upon tie house, and cooily notified two
m mi n an fhor UQ pntn RI
be row. On the approach of the officers Coon
warned them away. and Immediately opened
fire with pistol The fire was returned By the
officers, and for Few minutes bullets flew thick
and fast from each party. The outlaws took
refuge in an upstairs room. where Duff was
brought down by shot from rife. The Off
GERS then surrounded the house and were about
to set it on rAe, when old Duff, respect
able farmer prevailed upon Coon to surrender,
which he did. as his ammunition was about ex-
hausted. Robert NJ. Duff was arrested the same
day-last Friday-at his home. near that OF his
father On Saturday noon the prisoners were
taken to the scene of their crime. and Justice
appointed yesterday for their preliminary trial.
Meanwhile George Duff, jr.. died at his home
Sunday night The rest of the prisoners
taken to nsighbors' houses, where they
kept under guard until Sunday night.
when about three hundred masked men took
Coon from the officers and with rope around
his neck, hurried him to a convenient tree. On
his way he prayed and made confession, which
is to be received with doubt. The substance is
that he was guilty of participating in the muir
DER; unat BOP ana GEORGE DUN were along; that
George Duff fred the fatal shot from his (Coons)
revolver. Some say he implicated Drake,
others say he did not speak of
him. Whatever the confession was, he
Immediately hanged. After the hanging
of Coon, the regulators went after Bob Duff and
hurriedly took him toward the scene of Coon's
execution. Ii is both alleged and denied that he
confessed. Shots were fred at the mob. either
by guards or friends OF Duff, and the mob scat
tered instantly. In the early morning Thurs
day, the body of Bob Duff was found in the pub
lie road, with his throat and frightful stabS
in his chest, almost in sight of the body of Coon,
which vas still hanging to the tree. Neither
was touched until late Sunday evening. when a
coroner's jury assembled and adjourned without
discovering anything. Coon. who mad friendg
near. buried by a farmer. Relatives of
Duff took charge of his remains and buried them
near his home, yesterday.
Drake was spared and yesterday taken to the
Ryan residence for examination. A large crowd
of armed men were present. determined upon
lynching him. He waived examination and
ordered to the Jail in Charleston After much
trouble and danger he reached here might,
under the guard of Captain Burnett, of the
Eureka detective agency. and strong posse.
No warrants have been issued for Cunningham,
who, it is alleged. is of the gang. AS the
investigation of the affair progresses interesting
results certain. Officers after others
who said to be members of the outlaw band.
Coon came here from Tyler. Tex, and called
himself Jesse James. Great trouble is expect
ed. as the affair has grown into a vendetta, and
rival fac tions after each other.